If not for TOPICS, much of AmCham Taipei’s past – including the story of the Chamber’s founding – would likely be unknown to us. In fact, aside from what was later written about in the magazine, very little information survives about the organization’s activities and leadership from the period before TOPICS began publication in late 1970. Fortunately, details of…
In the first half of 1979, two separate articles in TOPICS – covering a total of 12 pages in the magazine – provided advice from medical professionals on how to cope with job stress. No doubt influencing the editor’s choice of subject matter was that this period – immediately following the break in diplomatic relations…
AmCham committees have the chance to interact with the appropriate government agencies. When AmCham Taipei released its 2017 Taiwan White Paper, it expressed regret that not a single one of the 80 issues cited in the previous year’s edition as detriments to the investment climate had been completely resolved. Fortunately, AmCham’s concern was shared by…
As 2019 draws to a close without the achievement of several hoped-for advances in regulatory procedures for medical devices, multinational companies in the sector are looking to the new year for some significant breakthroughs. Topping the wish list is passage of the draft Medical Devices Act, which would create dedicated legislation to govern the industry…
Most of AmCham Taipei’s member companies in the medical device field are sales and marketing arms of the world’s major multinational, especially American, brands. The profiles below introduce two member companies that are exceptions in that their forte is manufacturing, with Taiwan as their main base. As private companies they don’t disclose their financial information,…
Low rating for credit conditions brings down Taiwan’s overall ranking. Poor performance in one category — regarding legal rights in obtaining credit — has dragged down Taiwan’s overall rating in the World Bank’s recently released 2020 Doing Business survey of 190 countries and economies. In the latest edition, Taiwan fell back two places from last…
The annual delegation found an encouraging atmosphere for U.S.-Taiwan economic relations. When an AmCham Taipei delegation made the rounds of Washington, D.C., for a week in mid-June, it had three main requests for the U.S. government: Restore the former practice of holding high-level trade negotiations with Taiwan under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement on…
Flurry of raids are reminder of unresolved status. In recent weeks, local health department inspectors looking for violations conducted searches of the offices of six doctors of chiropractic in three Taiwan cities. Although it is not yet clear whether any of the cases will result in prosecutions, the incidents are a reminder of the precarious…
The absence of diplomatic ties hasn’t deterred the establishment of collaboration in a host of different fields. During this commemoration year for the Taiwan Relations Act, Taiwan and the U.S. can take satisfaction from knowing that 40 years and the loss of formal diplomatic relations haven’t dimmed the deep-seated friendship and widespread cooperation between them….
While in Asia in the fall of 1964, American businessman Edward J. Rehfeldt Jr. decided to make a stop in Taipei at the invitation of a friend. Before the visit was over, he had agreed to set up an electronics components factory in one of the first foreign investments on the island. In the more…
